Picture of the Month – Louise Colet

This languid portrait known as ‘The Lady in Black’ for some years was given to the museum by the Friends of Northampton Art Gallery in 1995. It has previously belonged to the composer and professor of composition William Alwyn.

Louise Colet

The portrait is now thought to be the French poet Louise Colet, who was the centre of the French literary scene in the early 19th century.